FRANK LAMPARD’S huge hunger to succeed as Chelsea boss has cost him dozens of dinner parties and nights out.
His TV star wife Christine knows not to bother organising social events after games as hubby Frank will be such bad company if his side lose.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard admits he is a ‘nightmare’ after losing so wife Christine can’t organise eventsCredit: PA:Press Association
Despite the pressure placed on family life by his high-profile job, Lampard admits he is a worry junkie hooked on the stress of running a big club.
The Chelsea gaffer said: “We’re not allowed to arrange dinners or any kind of get-together after games in case the worst comes to the worst — because if we lose I’m a nightmare. I can’t help it, it’s just par for the course.
“I had a year in the media, which was an absolute comedown from the pressures of playing and the pressures I get now. And as Christine will joke, I was a much better, easier, more relaxed Frank.
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“A manager gets 50 problems a day. It’s much more consuming but I love it and couldn’t live without it. What you need is a really understanding family.
“With your children that’s a bit harder because they just want dad, they just want you to give them absolute attention and those are precious moments.
“I get home from work and I see their smiles. I know it’s a bit cliched but it doesn’t half help you when you’ve had loads of problems throughout the day.”
Lampard, 42, is nearly half way through a three-year contract at Chelsea and under pressure to turn a £217million spending spree this year into trophies and titles.
But the Blues’ 211-goal all-time top scorer knows owner Roman Abramovich has already ploughed through ten full-time managers during 17 years in charge.
Lampard is thankful for having an understanding wife and family at homeCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
Lampard said: “I realise now it’s much harder than playing in terms of it being consuming.
“I had to put my ego at the door a bit and say that I might ruin what I achieved in 13 years to a degree — because if it doesn’t go well, I will be judged harshly and quickly.
“I am so driven personally that my biggest fear is myself. If I try to pull the wool over your eyes as Chelsea manager, it’s not going to work.
“The life of a manager is 25 people in the squad, staff in the building, problems with different departments. It’s so far removed from football.”
Chelsea are back in action this weekend after the international break with a trip to Newcastle.
They have won four games on the spin but there will still be no Saturday night out planned by his long-suffering missus.
Lampard played 648 games for Chelsea in his 13 years at Stamford Bridge but says playing is so much easier than management despite the obvious contrasting physical demands.
He said: “The life of a football player is a bubble of selfishness to a degree
“I can be really open that it helped me get the job — playing 13 years at the club helped me get this job.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
